Breezy in Blue: Florida Beach Cottage

Designer JoAnn Barwick's vacation home in Boca Grande, Florida

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Jessica Klewicki

Nature rolls out her own red carpet every time JoAnn Barwick and her husband, Fred Berger, return to their vacation home in Boca Grande, Florida, on tiny Gasparilla Island. Big, showy blossoms of deep pink bougainvillea and hibiscus envelop the homeowners and cheer them along the garden path that leads to the steps of their entry, approached through an old-fashioned wraparound porch.

JoAnn’s trademark blue-and-white palette is much in evidence throughout the house. She is, after all, the author of Scandinavian Country and a furniture designer whose collections for manufacturers reveal her love of 18th-century Sweden’s Gustavian style.

Light, painted furniture goes hand in hand with low-maintenance, casual textiles suitable for a cottage at the beach. "All of the fabrics and textures I used are extremely casual, from ticking and linen to seagrass and wicker," notes JoAnn.

A second sitting area in the living room, whose boundary is defined by the blue-and-white toile slipcovered chair, is just around the corner from the main window-front area. The sectional sofa and overscale ottoman ensure comfort.

For the Florida beach cottage, dressing it in her favorite Swedish blue and white worked for a second reason. "The beach is just across the street, and the Gulf is an astounding blue-green. The interior is all about water colors inspired by the surroundings. It was very easy to design, as these are all my favorite colors anyway--all tones of blue, pale aquas, greens, and turquoise. Everything else is light and white."

Antique faience chargers are displayed above a painted bench and table. Except for an antique Chinese bamboo cabinet and a newer bamboo coffee table in the master bedroom, the furniture throughout the home is painted--either white, blue, or some combination of the colors. "There isn’t a single piece of unpainted wood furniture in our home," JoAnn says.

Outdoor living is a huge part of JoAnn and Fred’s attraction to Florida. When building their cottage, they left room for an octagonal gazebo where they read, relax, and entertain. The small dining table with wicker chairs is a perfect place to enjoy morning coffee or a light lunch overlooking the water--and they can be easily moved in or out of the sun as needed.

Hand-painted more than a decade ago by well-known interior designer Marshall Watson of New York, the bed alcove was a project for a magazine. Adjacent to the guest room, the upstairs alcove was a magnet for the grandchildren as they were growing up.